Methods of preparing wall covering

ABSTRACT

Method for preparing wall covering prior to placement of the wall covering on a wall, the method relying upon a laterally expandable frame and a plurality of work surface panels removably mounted upon the frame. The frame can be oriented in either a generally horizontal or an upright position disposed at any one of a plurality of angles with respect to the vertical. Wheels mounted upon one end of the frame accommodate lateral movement when the frame is in the upright orientation and are restrainable so that in the upright orientation, the apparatus can be easily displaced in only a side-to-side direction. A guide for the wall covering dispenses wall covering over the assembled work surface segments at a controlled rate.

54 METHODS OF PREPAH NG WALL 2,498,595 2 1950 Vircks ..156/574 xCM/ERING 2,827,690 3/1958 Brown ..269/17 0 3,054,381 9/1962 Meichtry.........156/71 X Inventor! Firth y Armlmge, 3317 South 3,169,080 2/1965Hansen ..118/42 3130 E Salt Lake, Utah 84121 3,226,077 12/1965 Killen..248/448 Filed: p 1971 3,671,362 6/1972 Pierce et al ..156/574 X [21]Appl. No.: 133,930 Primary Examiner-Richard J. Herbst AssistantExaminerV. A. Dipalma Related U.S. Application Data A0mey Lynn Foster[62] Division of Ser. No. 870,002, Oct. 15, 1969, Pat. No.

3,598,390. ABSTRACT .Method for preparing wall covering prior to place-[52] 1.1.5. (:1. ..29/559, 118/37, 156/574, ment of the W3 covering on awall, the method rely 248/448 269/17 ing upon a laterally expandableframe and a plurality [51] 111E. Cl. "B2315 7/00 of work surface panelsremovably mounted upon the [58] Field of Search ..29/559; 117/111 C;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 803,270 10/1905 Butler..156/574 1,481,503 1/1924 Carswell et a1. ..269/17 X 1,735,292 11/1929Moratz ..248/454 1,990,103 2/1935 Van Alstyne ..248/448 X frame. Theframe can be oriented in either a generally horizontal or an uprightposition disposed at any one of a plurality of angles with respect tothe vertical. Wheels mounted upon one end of the frame accommodatelateral movement when the frame is in the upright orientation and arerestrainable so that in the upright orientation, the apparatus can beeasily displaced in only a side-to-side direction. A guide for the wallcovering dispenses wall covering over the assembled work surfacesegments at a controlled rate.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAYZZ 197s SHEET 1 [1F 3 INVENTOR.FIRTH KAY ARMITAGE PATENTEUMAYZZ I975 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR FIRTH KAYARMITAGE 'PATENTEDHAY 22 m5 sum 3 OF 3 VENTQ FIRTH KAY ARMITAGE FIG. 4

METHODS OF PREPARING WALL COVERING This application is a division of myco-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 870,002, filed Oct. 15, 1969,now US. Pat. No. 3,598,390, granted Aug. 10, 1971.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates topreparing wall coverings and more particularly a method for treatingwall coverings immediately prior to placing the wall coverings upon awall.

2. The Prior Art It is common to use wall covering made of vinyl or likesynthetic material. Vinyl wall coverings are normally supplied in rollshaving a width of either 27 inches or 54 inches. Conventionally, thewall coverings have been cut to desired lengths, placed on a horizontalwork surface or table and coated with adhesive material prior to placingthe covering on a wall.

The conventional horizontal work surface upon which the wall coveringhas been placed must be large enough to accommodate all sizes of wallcovering. Notably, when narrow wall coverings are treated with adhesiveon the work table, excess adhesive accumulates on the work tablesurface. Thereafter, when wider wall covering is disposed on the worktable, the accumulated adhesive presents an undesirably rough surfaceover which the wider wall covering must be superimposed. Moreover, thelarge work surface has been found awkward and cumbersome to move fromplace to place. The work surface is therefore, normally centrallystationed so that artisans using the work surface are required torepeatedly travel back and forth from an immediate work area to thecentrally stationed work surface.

It is also known to provide a work surface which, when assembled, isdisposed in an upright position at a fixed angle with respect to thevertical. An example of this type of work surface is disclosed in U. S.Pat. No. 3,169,080. Although the upright work surface has beensuccessfully used, many artisans prefer a horizontal work surface, atleast for some types of jobs. Until the present invention, no structureused to prepare wall coverings has provided a capability of presentingboth horizontal and upright work surfaces as well as a selectivelyadjustable work area corresponding to the size of wall covering used.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod for preparing wall coverings.

It is another primary object of the present invention to provide novelmethods for preparing wall coverings on either a horizontal or generallyvertical work surface having any one of a plurality of selecteddimensions.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective illustrationof the presently preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe contracted position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the frame in thepartially expanded position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the backside of thepresently preferred embodiment in fully expanded and assembledcondition;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken along line 4-4 of FIG.

FIG. 5 illustrates in perspective the presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention in the expanded horizontal orientation;

FIG. 6 is a transverse cross section taken along line 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of the guide structure used with thepresently preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now madeto the Figures wherein like parts are designated with like numeralsthroughout.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the presently preferred embodiment ofthe invention generally designated 20 comprises a platform 22 havingside edges 28 directed essentially normal to the plane of the platform22. Each segment also comprises end edges 30 directed away from theplatform 22 in the same direction as the side edges 28. Each edge 28 and30 is angularly tapered at the corners so that the corners 32 appearnotched. Preferably, the platform presents a substantially smooth upperwork surface 34.

The platform 22 is carried upon a rectangular frame 36 comprising partof the understructure generally designated 38. As best shown in FIG. 4,the platform 22 rests upon outwardly projecting L-shaped brackets 40 and41 as will be subsequently more fully described.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the frame 36 is preferably formed of tubularlyconfigurated, structural elements although any suitable configurationcould be used. The frame 36 has legs 42 integrally coupled to the frame36 adjacent one end of the frame. The legs 42 are telescopicallyadjustable to any one of a plurality of extended positions and aresecured in place with a thumb screw 43 (FIG. 3). The legs 42 may begrasped in the hands of a person 44 as shown in FIG. 1 so that theapparatus 20 may be moved from place to place in a wheelbarrow-likefashion.

Downwardly projecting legs 46 are integral with the frame 36 adjacentthe opposite end of the frame. The legs 46 are turned through more than90 to 'form an elbow 48 and a longitudinal brace 50 which is welded orotherwise rigidly secured to the leg 42.

An adjustable wheel assembly 52 is mounted upon the understructure 38 atthe elbow 48. The wheel assembly, best shown in FIG. 2, comprises atransverse support 54 extending between leg 46 and the brace 50.

The support 54 is welded or otherwise secured adjacent the elbow 48. Agenerally U-shaped bracket 56 is secured to the support 54 by a pivotpin 58, the legs 60 and 62 of the bracket 56 being disposed on eitherside of the elbow 48. The leg 62 is substantially longer than leg 60 andpresents a handle 64 which may be used to pivot the bracket 56 about thepin 58. Bracket 64 has a laterally displaced portion 66 which, in turn,presents an outwardly directed detent 68.

Detent 68 is selectively situated into any one of a plurality of notches70 disposed in peripheral edge of an arcuate guide 72. Guide 72 isdisposed between the leg 46 and the brace 50 so that the notches 70 areupwardly directed. When desired, the handle 64 may be displacedlaterally away from the guide 72 so that the detent 68 is removed fromthe notch 70. The bracket 56 may then be pivoted about the pin 58 intoany one of a plurality of positions relative to the elbow 48.Thereafter, the detent may be allowed to move into another notch 70where it is maintained by the memory of the material forming the handle64. The detent prevents inadvertent subsequent displacement of thebracket 56 relative to the elbow 48.

Bracket 56 is connected at the essentially flat transverse portion 74 toanother generally U-shaped bracket or clevis 76. Preferably, the bracket56 and the clevis 76 are connected by a bolt or similar attachmentaccommodating relative rotation of the clevis 76 and the bracket 56. Itshould be noted, however, that it is presently preferred that the clevis76 be selectively restrained so as to be substantially aligned with thebracket 56 as shown in FIG. 1 or, rotated 90 out of alignment as shownin FIG. 2. If desired, the clevis 76 and bracket 56 may be provided withconventional detent structure (not shown) selectively restraining theclevis 76 in either the FIG. 1 or the FIG. 2 positions. The bracket 76can be rotated by exerting sufficient rotational force upon bracket 76with the hands to overcome the restraining force.

A disk-shaped wheel 78 is rotatably carried by the clevis 76 in aconventional manner. The wheel 78 is the ground-engaging member whichcooperates with legs 42 to support the platform 22. During use of thetable 20, the wheels 78 are rotated with the bracket 76 to anorientation generally parallel to the platform 22. In this orientation,wheels 78 accommodate side to side movement of the frame in a directionparallel to the plane of the platform 22 and resist to and fro movement.Thus, a transverse force exerted upon the platform will not normallycause the table to be displaced.

When desired, wheels 78 can be rotated 90 into the plane of the elbow 48so that the table can be moved in a wheelbarrow-like fashion (see FIG.1).

Frame 36 is also provided with a tubular coupling 80 (FIG. 2) whichintersects the frame 36 at an acute angle and is integral therewith. Thecoupling 80 is adapted to receive a conventional caster wheel 82 whichpivots freely about the axis of the coupling 80. With a caster wheel 82disposed on each side of the frame 36 and a wheel assembly 52 disposedeach elbow 48, the frame 36 and platform 22 may be easily displaced tothe upright position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The casters 82 andthe wheels 78 movably support the platform 22 in the upright position,the wheel 78 being selectively adjustable through the bracket 56, bymoving handle 64 to determine the angle formed by the platform 22relative to the vertical.

When desired, the work table 20 may be expanded to present a greaterwork surface area. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 36 carries tubularsleeves 84 and 86 united together in tandem, the longitudinal axes ofthe sleeves 84 and 86 being parallel one to another. As best shown inFIG. 4, the sleeves 84 and 86 are disposed normal to the sides of theframe 36 at a plurality of longitudinal locations in the plane of theframe 36. Each sleeve 84 and 86 telescopically receives a rod 88 and 90,respectively (see also FIG. 3). Rod 88 is welded or otherwise integrallyjoined to one side of the frame 36 at one end 92, the opposite end beingloosely carried within the sleeve 86. The extended position of rod 88,shown in FIG. 2, may be maintained by tightening thumb screw 94 intosleeve 86.'When desired, the rod 90, similarly secured to the other sideof frame 36 and loosely carried within the sleeve 84 may be extended asshown in FIG. 3. Rod may be secured in the extended position bytightening thumb screw 96 into sleeve 84.

In the extended position, additional panels 24 and 26 may be disposedupon the frame 36 preferably on either side of the panel 98 as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Referring particularly to FIG. 6, the panel 98 has sides100 each having a reverse bend 102 to define a slot 104. A side edge 28of each of the panels 24 and 26 is disposed in the corresponding slot104 so that the panels 24, 98 and 26 are joined together. In theexpanded position, the central brackets 41 (FIGS. 4 and 6) carried bythe sleeves 84 and 86 support the panel 98. The panels 24 and 26 aresuspended between the panel 98 and the peripherally disposed brackets40.

For convenience, brackets 106 and 108, having a generally L-shapedconfiguration, are secured to each tandem pair of sleeves 84 and 86.Brackets 106 and 108 are spaced sufficiently so as to receive the panels24 and 26 (see FIG. 2) when the understructure 34 is in the contractedcondition. Panels 24 and 26 are nested one within the other andthereafter inserted into brackets 106 and 108.

Panel 98 has a lateral dimension which is, preferably, slightly greaterthan the width of conventional vinyl wall covering (i.e., 27 inches). Itis presently preferred that panels 24 and 26 also have a combinedlateral dimension which is approximately 27 inches so that when thepanel 98 and panels 24 and 26 are assembled upon the frame 36 as shownin FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, wall covering of 54 inches can be easilyaccommodated. Although the panel 98 may be disposed at any suitablelocation over the frame 36, it is presently preferred that the panel 98be interposed between the panels 24 and 26.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the table 20 may be disposed in either thegenerally upright or horizontal positions, respectively. Added strengthis given to the understructure 38 in either position by cross braces 110and 112. Cross braces 110 and 112 have telescoping inner tubes 114 and116, respectively, which extend or retract from the braces 110 and 112to accommodate lateral expansion and retraction of the frame 36. Tubes114 and 116 are integrally united with collars 118 which circumscribeeach leg 46 and is selectively rotatable relative to the leg. Also, eachbrace 110 and 112 is integral with a collar 120 similarly rotatable uponleg 42. As can be appreciated best by reference to FIG. 3, the braces110 and 112 are angularly related one to another, the degree of angularrelation depending upon the lateral extension or retraction of the frame36. Thus, the cross braces 110 and 112 move in scissorlike fashionrelative to one another.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the table 20 is situated in the uprightorientation, a roll 121 of conventional wall covering 122 may berotatably mounted upon a spindle or rod 124. Roll 121 has a hollow core119, as is conventional, loosely disposed over spindle 124 so that wallcovering 122 can be easily stripped from the roll 121. Preferably, thespindle 124 is carried upon hooks or other retainers 126 carried by eachbrace 50. If desired, when the table 20 is in the horizontal positionshown in FIG. 5, the wall covering 122 and spindle 124 may be supportedupon hooks or brackets 128 carried by each leg 42. It is presentlypreferred that when the table 20 is disposed in the upright position ofFIG. 3, the wall covering 122 be interposed through a roller guideassembly generally designated 130.

With particular reference to FIG. 7, the guide assembly 130 comprisesside brackets 132 each being provided with a downwardly projecting peg(not shown) adapted to be received by the hollow frame 36 in telescopicrelation. Thus, the guide assembly 130 may be selectively removed fromthe table by withdrawing the bracket and attached peg from the frame 36.

A first roller 134 is rotatably carried by brackets 132 adjacent therearward end of the bracket. A tubular forward bar 136 is non-rotatablymounted between brackets 132 adjacent the forward edge of the bracket132. The bar 136 has a longitudinal slot 138 along its entire length,the slot opening forwardly adjacent the top edge of the panels 24, 26and 98. Importantly, the slot 138 is exposed at the ends 140 of the bar136 by a notch or recess 142 in each bracket 132. Thus, a cuttinginstrument (not shown) may be displaced the entire length of slot 138 tosever a desired length of wall covering 122 from the supply roll 121.Since the slot opens at each end 140, the cutting instrument will not bedulled or damaged by inadvertently striking a rigid obstruction at theends 140 of the slot 138.

Each bracket 132 is provided with a generally vertical channel 144 intowhich the diametrally reduced end 146 of a roller 148 is placed. Roller148 is biased toward bar 136 with tension springs 150 and normally restsupon the bar 136 when no wall covering is interposed therebetween. Eachtension spring 150 has a hooked end 152 carried upon the diametrallyreduced end 146 of roller 148. The opposite end 154 is restrained in anyselected one of a plurality of apertures 156 disposed in longitudinalspaced relation in the brace 36. The tension on spring 150 is preferablyadjusted by attaching end 154 into an aperture 70 so that the wallcovering 122 can be dispensed from the roll 121 between roller 148 andbar 136 by a manual pulling force exerted upon the wall covering 122.However, the tension is preferably sufficient to avoid inadvertentdispensing of the wall covering 122 when the wall covering 122 becomesheavy when the added weight of adhesive material is placed on the wallcovering.

It is presently preferred that at least two guide assemblies beprovided, one to accommodate the expanded 54 inch frame width andanother to accommodate the 27inch frame width. Alternativly, anexpandible guide assembly could be used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the wall covering 122 is dispensed from roll 121 andthreaded over rollers 34 and between roller 148 and bar 136 across thework surface 34. The wall covering 122 may then be coated with ad- Ihesive and otherwise prepared to place on a wall.

In the method of preparing wall covering 122 for placement on a wall(not shown), the appropriate width of wall covering is selected.Currently, the most common widths are 27 and 54 inches. Assuming thetable 20 to be in the retracted condition of FIG. 1 and assuming the54-inch wall covering is selected, the table 20 is moved inwheelbarrow-like fashion to a work site. If 54 inch wall covering is tobe used, lateral dimension of the table 20 is then adjusted by expandingthe frame 36 to correspond to the selected 54 inch wall covering (seeFIG. 2). The frame is expanded by extending the rods 88 and 90telescopically outward from the respec-tive sleeves 84 and 86 andtightening the thumbscrews 94 and 96. Platform panels 24 and 26 areremoved from the brackets 106 and 108 and are placed on the frame 36 andjoined to the corresponding side of panel 98 so that the frame iscompletely covered with panels.

The table 20 may be used with the platform 22 and frame 36 in thehorizontal orientation by adjusting wheel assembly 52 to the desiredheight and by adjusting the length of legs 42 until the table is level.

Alternatively, the platform 22 and frame 36 may be oriented in theupright position and the position of wheel assembly 52 is adjusted sothat the platform 22 forms a desired angle relative to the vertical.

In the upright orientation, it is preferred that the guide assembly beattached to the frame 36 and the tension on spring properly adjusted toadequately control the dispensing of wall covering 122 from roll 121.

Significantly, it is preferred that wheels 78 be oriented so that thetable 20 can be easily displaced only in a direction parallel to theplane of platform 22 and displacement out of the plane of platform 22 isresisted. In this way, an artisan or other user of the table 20 can moreeasily move the table side to side in a direction parallel to the wallon which he is working; but to and fro movement of table 20 which mightotherwise result during the application of adhesive material orotherwise treating the wall covering 122 is resisted.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is: I

1. In a method of installing wall coverings, the steps of:

adjusting the size of an expandable work table having an exposed worksurface to a size on the order of the size of any selected one ofseveral different sizes in wall coverings to be installed, retaining theselected work table size, placing the work table in a generallyhorizontal attitude, disposing the Wall covering on the work table,preparing the wall covering for application to a wall, and moving thework table to a generally erect attitude. 2. In a method as defined inclaim 1 wherein said adjusting step comprises relatively telescopicallydisplacing frame members to alter the transverse dimension of the worktable.

3; In a method as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving step ispreceded by adjusting the angular orientation of floor engaging wheelsof the work table causing the exposed work surface to be disposed at anydesired one of a plurality of acute angles with respect to the verticalwhen erect.

4. In a method as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving step isfollowed by changing the orientation of said wheels and thereafterdisplacing the work table laterally in a direction generally parallel toa plane comprising the vertical projection of the work surface whilerestraining movement of the work surface in any other direction.

5. In a method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step ofadjusting the height of the work table guide means, and biasing theopposed guide means toward one another to control the rate at which thewall covering can be displaced through the guide means to f i 5 the worktable.

1. In a method of installing wall coverings, the steps of: adjusting the size of an expandable work table having an exposed work surface to a size on the order of the size of any selected one of several different sizes in wall coverings to be installed, retaining the selected work table size, placing the work table in a generally horizontal attitude, disposing the wall covering on the work table, preparing the wall covering for application to a wall, and moving the work table to a generally erect attitude.
 2. In a method as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjusting step comprises relatively telescopically displacing frame members to alter the transverse dimension of the work table.
 3. In a method as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving step is preceded by adjusting the angular orientation of floor engaging wheels of the work table causing the exposed work surface to be disposed at any desired one of a plurality of acute angles with respect to the vertical when erect.
 4. In a method as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving step is followed by changing the orientation of said wheels and thereafter displacing the work table laterally in a direction generally parallel to a plane comprising the vertical projection of the work surface while restraining movement of the work surface in any other direction.
 5. In a method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of adjusting the height of the work table above the floor, when in its generally horizontal attitude, to any one of a plurality of heights.
 6. In a method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the steps of mounting a supply of wall covering upon the frame, directing the wall covering from its frame mounting to the work surface through opposed guide means, and biasing the opposed guide means toward one another to control the rate at which the wall covering can be displaced through the guide means to the work table. 